Daphne plant named ‘Rogbret’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Daphne  cultivar named ‘Rogbret’ is disclosed, characterized by variegated leaves with a distinctive large yellow band on margin, resistance to deciduousness in winter months, making the new cultivar a true evergreen and an open, spreading plant habit. The new cultivar is a  Daphne , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Daphne odora.

Variety denomination: ‘ROGBRET’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a chance discovery in a commercialsetting by the inventor. In 2004, the inventor, Przemyslaw Rogalskidiscovered an interesting single branch mutation in a commercialplanting of the unpatented parent variety Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’.This single branch mutation was discovered at a commercial nursery inSaint Gilles Les Bois, France.

During 2004 the inventor propagated the interesting mutation bysemi-hardwood cuttings at the commercial nursery in Saint Gilles LesBois in France. The initial propagation showed the mutation to be stableand additional generations were propagated, also by semi-hardwoodcuttings. Approximately 6 generations have been reproduced since 2004,and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Rogbret’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘Rogbret’ These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘Rogbret’ as a new and distinct Daphne cultivar:

-   -   1. Variegated leaves with a distinctive large yellow band on        margin.    -   2. Resistance to deciduousness in winter months, making the new        cultivar a true evergreen.    -   3. Open, spreading plant habit.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Rogbret’ are similar to plants of theparent; Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘Rogbret’ havefoliage with a significantly more pronounced variegation, including amuch wider yellow band on the margin. Additionally, foliage of ‘Rogbret’is persistent in the winter, whereas ‘Aureomarginata’ is semi-deciduous.The older, woody branches of ‘Rogbret’ are softer than older, woodybranches of ‘Aureomarginata’ of a similar age.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘Rogbret’ is best compared to the commercial variety Daphne odora‘Hewreb’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,368. Plants of the new cultivar‘Rogbret’ are similar to plants of ‘Hewreb’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘Rogbret’ have amore spreading overall plant habit. Additionally, plants of ‘Rogbret’are fully evergreen, whereas plant of ‘Hewreb’ are semi-deciduous inwinter. Flower color of ‘Rogbret’ tends towards Red-Purple shadesaccording to R.H.S. charts, whereas ‘Hewreb’ tends towards Purpleshades.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a close up of typical foliage andflowers of ‘Rogbret’ grown outdoors in France.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘Rogbret’ grownoutdoors in France.

The plant is approximately 5 years old, and is planted in the ground.The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘Rogbret’ plants grown in a greenhouse inSaint Gilles Les Bois, France. Plants are approximately 3 years old, ina 3 liter nursery container. Additionally, for the purpose of describingolder wood, 5 year old plants growing outdoors in Saint Gilles Les Bois,France were also used. All data is taken from the 3 year old greenhouseplants, unless specifically designated in the botanical description thatthe information is from the 5 year old plants. The greenhouse isunheated and unshaded. Temperatures ranged from 2° C. to 20° C. at nightto 5° C. to 35° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical valuesrepresent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Daphne odora ‘Rogbret’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: Approximately 4 to 8 weeks at approximately 20° C.    to 30° C. from semi-hardwood cuttings.-   Root description: Fine, fibrous young roots. Older roots becoming    woody.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright and outwardly spreading shrub. Moderately    dense.-   Height: Outdoors, after approximately 5 years: Approximately 65 cm.    Greenhouse, 3 liter pot, 3 years old, Approximately 40 cm.-   Plant spread: Outdoors, after approximately 5 years: Approximately    100 cm. Greenhouse, 3 liter pot, 3 years old, Approximately 50 cm.-   Growth rate: Approximately 10 to 15 cm per year.-   Branching characteristics: Moderate to light branching, angled    approximately 45 to 75 degrees.-   Length of lateral branches: Approximately 12 to 20 cm.-   Number of lateral branches: Approximately 3 main lateral branches on    a 3 year old plant.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.35 to 0.5 cm.-   Lateral branch strength: Very strong, with some flexibility.-   Lateral branch color: Young branches near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.    Mature branches (more than 3 years) near RHS Brown 200D.-   Other stem or plant characteristics: No pubescence or lenticels    observed. Texture moderately rough.-   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Average 10 to 15.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 3 years.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Type.—Simple.        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Average length.—Approximately 6 to 10 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 1.6 to 2.4 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic to obovate.        -   Apex.—Mucronate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Leaf internode length.—Approximately 0.9 to 1.5 cm.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Center near RHS Green 137A.            Margin can be RHS Yellow 10A or 10B or 10C. Margin is            approximately 0.3 cm wide. Young foliage under side: Center            near RHS 147B. Margin can be RHS Yellow 11B or 11C. Margin            is approximately 0.3 cm wide. Mature foliage upper side:            Center near RHS Yellow-Green 146A. Margin near RHS Yellow            10A or 10B. Margin is approximately 0.3 to 0.5 cm wide.            Mature foliage under side: Center near RHS 146C. Margin near            RHS Yellow 11B or 11C. Margin is approximately 0.3 to 0.5 cm            wide.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: A range            including colors Near RHS Yellow 10A through 10C. Venation            color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C.-   Petiole: Not present, sessile.-   Bloom period:    -   -   Natural season.—December to March.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Arrangement.—Single trumpet shaped flowers, composed of            petaloid sepals clustered in terminal heads. Corolla not            present.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.5 cm.        -   Depth.—Approximately 3 cm.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—Approximately 16 to            18.-   Flower:    -   -   Facing direction.—Out and up.        -   Diameter of entire flower.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Depth/length of flower.—Approximately 2 cm.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.        -   Fragrance.—Very strong Daphne scent.-   Petaloid sepals:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 1.0 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.5 cm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Shape of petal.—Ovate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, slightly rolled inward.        -   Petal arrangement.—Whorled.        -   Petal number.—4.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS White N155B            with margin flushed near RHS Red-Purple 63A. Upper surface            at maturity: Near RHS White N155B with very slight margin            flushed near RHS Red-Purple 63C. Upper surface at fading:            Near RHS White N155B. Under surface at first opening: Near            RHS Red-Purple 63B. Under surface at maturity: Near RHS            Red-Purple 61A or B. Under surface at fading: Near RHS            Red-Purple 62C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor    resistant to normal diseases and pests of Daphne odora.-   Drought tolerance: Some drought tolerance. Plants will not wilt or    suffer significant damage if regular supplemental waterings are    missed.-   Low temperature tolerance: Hardy in France to −20° C.-   High temperature tolerance: High temperature tolerance is not    exactly know. Tolerates at least 30° C.-   Fruit/seed production: Not observed after 5 years.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Daphne plant named ‘Rogbret’ as hereinillustrated and described.